Mara kept the game simple. He had a success-rate when pinching at the blueline of 75%, and was among the team leaders in shot-through from the point (82%), and defensive-zone pass percentage (82%). The last metric is a solid example of Mara's ability to recognize the easy play out of the d-zone.

#76 PK Subban

While close to Mara's total, Subban went about his above-average grade with speed and flare. He was among the team leaders for successful offensive-zone passes (76%), and was the only defenseman to make a successful deak in the offensive-zone; where he was successful with 70% of his attempts.

On the less-positive end of the spectrum, Subban was successful with only 67% of his defensive-zone pass attempts (lowest among d-men), and led the team with 112 defensive-zone giveaways to go along with 66 neutral-zone giveaways.

#75 Hal Gill

Gill just gets it done. It's not fancy, it definitely isn't pretty, but when he's not there it shows. He's among the team leaders in blocked-shots (90), successful defensive-zone puck-battle percentage (67%), and d-zone passing percentage (78%).

#6 Jaroslav Spacek

Spacek has a tough time in the offensive-zone. He has the lowest marks for offensive-zone puck-battles (58%) and offensive-zone passing (43). That said, Spacek has the second-best success-rate for defensive-zone passing (81%), and his giveaway to takeaway ratio in the d-zone is nearly 1 to 1; the team ratio is 2 takeaways for every 3 giveaways.

#44 Roman Hamrlik

Despite having the fifth-best grade, Hamrlik has been the most consistent among defensemen. Number 44's grade hasn't had the ups-and-downs of other d-men; holding in-and-around the 68 mark for most games. He leads the d-core in blocked shots (92), and is among the team leaders in neutral-zone passing percentage (79%).

#20 James Wisniewski

Wisniewski's grade is carried by his offense. He leads the d-core with 30 points, and is second to only Subban with 84 shots. That said, number 20 has the lowest dump-in success-rate, while his d-zone passing percentage is a low 69%. Also his d-zone giveaway / takeaway ratio is 1 takeaway for every 3.5 giveaways.

#45 Alex Picard

Picard's mark is hurt mostly by his defensive-zone give-aways. He averages 1 d-zone takeaway for every 4.7 giveaways.

#68 Yannick Weber

Weber suffers from the same issues as Picard, as he averages 1 d-zone takeaway for every 3.2 giveaways. That said, Weber is among the team leaders in defensive-zone puck-battles, as he's won 62% of his defensive-zone puck battles.

Brent Sopel

Brent Sopel has specific strengths. He blocks shots, blocks passes, and dumps the puck out of the zone. He is among the team leaders in each of these categories, but has struggled winning defensive-zone puck-battles. The veteran Stanley Cup winner has won only 55 % of his DZPBs, and has been successful with only 70% of his defensive-zone pass attempts. That said, he has been struggling with an injury, and has consistently saved his best hockey for the post-season.

Roman Hamrlik has been the Habs top defenseman against Boston this season. He leads all defenseman by 3 percentage-points, and his grade is 7 percentage-points above the team average versus Boston.

1. Hamrlik (68) -3 points better than his season average
2. Wisniewski (65) -2 points better than his season average
3. Gill (63) - 3 points below his season average
4. Mara (63) -5 points below his season average
5. Spacek (63) -3 points below his season average
6. Picard (63) -equal to season average
7. Subban (61) -5 points below his season average
8. Sopel (60) -2 points below his season average
9. Weber (58) -4 points below his season average

#44 Roman Hamrlik

Hamrlik's grade against Boston has been the product of strong play with the puck. He has been successful with 12 of his 13 dump-ins, while 13 of his 17 point-shots have found their way to the net. He also leads the team with 13 blocked shots against the Bruins.

#20 James Wisniewski

As with his overall mark, Wisnieski's grade is carried by his offense. Seventeen of his 21 point-shot attempts have made it to the net, while he's also garnered 4 points. He's won 26 of 38 offensive-zone puck-battles, but has a minus-4 rating.

#75 Hal Gill

Gill has had substantial success against Boston by doing what he does best. Blocking shots (11), winning defensive-zone puck-battles (59%), while amassing defensive-zone takeaways (13).

#22 Paul Mara

Mara's only real struggles against Boston have been in the defensive-zone; Mara has won only 6 of 20 defensive-zone puck-battles against the Bruins big forwards this season. That said Mara's lowest mark came in that big loss to Boston (47), while one of his highest marks of the season came in the last home win against Boston (83).

#6 Jaroslav Spacek

Spacek played a simple game against Boston, but was below the team winning percentage in both offensive and defensive-zone puck battles.

#45 Alex Picard

Picard played solid against Boston. Due to a limited amount of metrics, his mark is adversely affected by his minus-2 rating.

#76 PK Subban

PK's grade against Boston is absolutely destroyed by giveaways. Subban has given the puck away on 25 separate occasions against the Bruins; ten more than any other defensemen. PK needs to focus on keeping the game simple, as rushing PK is a huge part of boston's game-plan. Take away the giveaways and number 76's grade increases to 69; four percentage points above his season average.

#55 Brent Sopel

Sopel played only 2 games against Boston this season (with Montreal), and recorded the team's second-lowest grade (36) in the season's last game against the Bruins. That said, the veteran d-man recorded a mark of 82 during his other tussle with the B's.

#68 Yannick Weber

Weber played in only one game against the Bruins this season, where he tallied 3 points. His low mark would be much greater had his offensive-success been matched by his defensive play, as he was also minus-1 with 11 lost puck-battles.